popen behaviour 4.3.2 & 4.3.3 bug ? (cli/php-gtk)

Hi ... this line (used in a php-gtk app via the CLI ) $pp = popen( 'c:\phpdev\php\php-4.3.3\php.exe -q -f '.$app . $str ,'r' ) ; dies 'orribly with no errors reported but with 4.3.2 .. $pp = popen( 'c:\phpdev\php\php-4.3.2\php.exe -q -f '.$app . $str ,'r' ) ; its just dandy and does exactly what is expected eg start an instance of the script is a new (gtk) window there is a lot more code but for sure it dies just there. I would have posted this on the gtk lists but I think its php itself at issue ? any ideas anyone ?? Regards, Simon.